You describe yourself as a writer who works across a plethora of genres. What draws you to such a wide creative spectrum?
When I began writing there was just a need to express. I did that in whatever form that was flowing from my heart at that specific moment. It didn't matter to me if my expressions were poetry, song, short story, movie, play, or simply releasing a thought. I had to get it out of my spirit.
Your first release, LAYERS – A Collection of Poetry, suggests depth and complexity. What does the title represent for you?
The title Layers represents the fact that we are not monolithic. We hold the ability to possess different feelings even if it's on the same topic. Additionally, because I'm blessed to write on a variety of topics, I wanted to display the different layers of me through my pen.
Why did you choose poetry as your debut genre, and what made it the right starting point for your publishing journey?
When I started writing, poetry poured out of me. It was to the point that people say my normal conversation is in poetry. Still, poetry was my starting point for two reasons. First, I had written so much poetry in my years of writing that it was only fitting that that is how I introduce myself to the literary world. Secondly, poetry allows me to hide. It still forces me to process heavy thoughts, but I don't have to sit in them long. Writing in other genres causes me to contemplate on a topic or emotion extensively, thus forcing me to fully confront what has been suppressed. With poetry, I kind of have to do the same, but when it becomes too much, I can give it a quick beautiful ending and move on.
Can you share the emotional or creative spark that inspired “Dig Deeper”?
Writing for me has always been about complete honesty. There came a time in my writing journey where I felt like I was masking the truth. The pieces that I wrote, to many are good, but to me they were subpar. I knew that there was another level that I had to get back to in my writing. As a result, Dig Deeper was born. The poem Dig Deeper was a conversation that my pen had with me. It didn't appreciate being used in meaningless ways. So, it gave me an ultimatum, write the truth of my heart, or don't write again.
How would you describe the themes readers will encounter in this collection?
Sometimes we write things that we don't know we're writing. As I got ready to release Dig Deeper, I reread it. I realized that project is different from most that I may ever do. With Dig Deeper I wrote from a singular view point, mine. Readers will encounter the pure heart of a man. They will read moments of self doubt, pure love towards family, sincere conversations with God, revelations, and the varying levels of love.
Was there a particular poem in LAYERS that challenged you the most to write? Why?
In Layers, the poem that challenged me the most is Let's Tell The Truth. This specific poem was written because a long time friend of mine was murdered. It made me confront the reality that people don't care or get involved until the problem touches them. In like manner, it caused me to address "Black on black crime" and police brutality in the black community. At the end of the day they are two issues that have the same impact, the unnecessary loss of life.
How does poetry allow you to express ideas or emotions differently than prose or other genres?
Poetry affords the writer the ability to be as detailed or as vague as they'd like. Poetry also gives the writer the opportunity to speak their own words via Spoken Word. Words are given life on the page, but they live through the voice of the artist. It causes the author to break comfort zones in three ways. First, to go from mind to page. Second, sharing that sacred page with other eyes. Third, standing on stage speaking them to an audience. Honestly, I don't know which is most taxing.
Do your poems tend to come from personal experience, observation, imagination—or a blend of all three?
Most definitely a blend of the three. As a naturally quiet person, I observe a lot and I translate what I observe in written form. Personal experience is what got me writing. It was how I received therapy. Then I take the beautiful and ugly and turn it into art. Imagination however, is by far my favorite. Imagination for me comes in two forms. First, the normal sense of the word, you see something and think what if. Secondly, it's given. Many pieces are given to me by God and those are my absolute pieces to write because outside of obedience, I have nothing to do with it. Many times, I'm awakened by God with an incredibly clear topic or vision and I get up and write it. That is how The Legacy Series came about in Layers. God showed me, and I immediately got up and wrote parts one and two. A few days later, He gave me part three. Collectively they tell a complete story.
What role does vulnerability play in your writing, especially in poetry?
Vulnerability is critical to my writing. Readers connect with what is real. So for my pen to be effective, I have to share my sincere heart. Still, there are levels to depth, and I'm still learning to dig deeper.
How has your writing process evolved from your earliest drafts to publishing LAYERS?
Through the years, I've learned to be precise and concise in my writing. It becomes an art only using the necessary words to make a concept complete.
You’ve hinted that “so much more is to come.” What other genres or projects are you excited to explore next?
I'm currently working on several projects. I can never seem to work on only one thing at a time. I'm writing a motivational book to push people to their dreams. At the same time, I'm working on a religious project that is targeted towards the Christian world. My wife and I have two books that we are developing on marriage. Naturally, I have more poetry books in the works as well. Those are just a few things that I'm working on, which doesn't include the music and movies that are in draft as well.
How do you hope readers feel after finishing LAYERS?
Because Layers is such a wide variety of work, I want readers to leave enlightened. Simultaneously, I want them to understand that it is natural to have varying thoughts on specific topics. If they come to terms with that understanding, it will cause them the dig deeper on those topics, opening their views on life.
What authors, poets, or artists have influenced your creative voice?
Outside of the Bible, Fredrick Douglass is my favorite writer. I'm a huge fan of history. I also appreciate writers such as Carter G. Woodson, Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, and Nikki Giovanni. A poet/author that has truly inspired me is Rupi Kaur. Her writing style is the major influence on the book that I plan to release next.
Where can readers connect with you and explore your work, and what would you most like them to know before diving into “Dig Deeper”?
Readers can connect with me on most platforms @AuthorArthur2. Additionally, they can connect with me on my personal website www.AuthorArthur2.com Lastly, they can follow me on my Amazon Author's page. As far as what I would like my readers to know most, I'm a simple man who writes from his heart. The overall theme of all of my work is love, though my work touches on love on many levels.
How has been your experience with AllAuthor?
My experience on AllAuthor has been pleasant so far. I'm still trying to become more familiar with it, but I have no complaints. I'm more than confident that it will help me reach the goals that I've set for myself. Thank you for the privilege of being interviewed!
